The best months to visit Finland: a seasonal guide

Finland is a sensational place all year round, and its striking seasonal changes are one of its biggest draws. From crisp, colorful falls to deep winter snows, to the endless light of the summer months; each passing month brings new adventures to pursue. This guide breaks down the best months to visit Finland and what you can expect, so you can plan your trip to Finland around what matters to you most.

Understanding Finland’s unique climate

Finland is a nation of extremes, with starkly cold, snow-covered winters and summer days that are literally endless (known as the midnight sun; more on that later). With a climate that shifts so prominently with the seasons, deciding on the best time to visit Finland will really dictate your experience – but rest assured, all are marvelous.

Another factor to consider is the three main regions in Finland; southern, central and the northernmost region, Lapland. As you can imagine, whether you spend your trip closer or further from the Arctic Circle will have some impact on the conditions you experience. The south of the country experiences warmer summers and milder, lighter winters, whereas the north is plunged into darkness for most of the winter season (known as the Polar Night).

Best months for experiencing Finland’s natural wonders

Anyone with even the slightest knowledge of Finland will know: this is a wonderland for nature lovers. Examples of the planet’s majesty are elemental and raw; with glistening frozen lakes, snow-blanketed forests of icy, towering pines, the domed night sky speckled with stars, and if you’re lucky, shimmering with the aurora borealis. Again, seasonal timing is king, so it’s best to plan your trip to Finland with your most hoped-for activities in mind, pinning down the best months to visit Finland accordingly.

When to see the dance of the northern lights

One of the most sublime experiences of travelling this far north is the visibility of the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis – they’re more visible here than almost anywhere else on Earth. These glowing beams of light color the sky with green, purple, blue or even pink and red, and it’s truly extraordinary to behold.

The darkest skies are best, during the winter months of November to March – though you can still spot them in late September and October. There are numerous guided tours which take you to the best viewing spots, or you could watch them from the coziness of a glass-roofed igloo. Get in touch with our locally-based Finland travel experts who can arrange this for you.

When to visit for snowy landscapes and winter activities

Again, Finland’s winter months from November to March are truly stunning, as it’s so easy to find scenery akin to Christmas card landscapes.

The national parks in Finland are many – over 40 in total, with over 188,000 lakes to admire – but Lapland is the place for guaranteed snow and ice. It’s primed for a glut of winter activities: skiing in Levi or Ruka, snowshoeing and husky-sledding through Posio Virgin Forest, going on a reindeer safari with indigenous Sami herders, or ice-fishing, as the locals do.

There’s also Oulanka National Park for iced over waterfalls and canyons, Urho Kekkonen National Park for wide open winter wilderness, and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park for scenic cross-country skiing routes; and this is only scratching the surface.

Best months for experiencing the midnight sun

In the summer, Finland experiences the most astonishing light to ward away the dark depths of winter. Days can last weeks at their longest due to the sublime ‘midnight sun’ phenomenon, for which the sun never sets. Essentially, anyone in the most northerly parts of the country can see a single day last up to 10 weeks – from mid May to late July – blending into one time-confused, sun-drenched occasion.

Locals and visitors alike celebrate this truly endless summer in Finland with festivals, late-night canoeing on lakes, midnight hikes and 2am sauna sessions. Some even try to ‘flip’ a day of activities, exploring from midnight into the early hours, and sleeping through the afternoon. Visit during the summer months of May to July to experience this surreal phenomenon for yourself.

When to see the most stunning fall foliage

September and October are the best months to catch the foliage in Finland transform into glorious hues; imagine red maples, golden birches and fiery, rust-colored rowans. This happens promptly here, as the temperature lowers and seasonal trees start to drop leaves for the onset of winter.

In Lapland, the remote Kilpisjärvi village is one of the best places for intense reds, while in the Finnish Lake District, the gorgeous reflections of autumnal trees in vast, glass-like lakes are not to be missed. In the south where it’s warmer, the changes are slightly more subtle – but still the golden colors of Central Park in Helsinki are something to enjoy, as you stroll with a coffee in hand.

The best months to visit Finland: a seasonal travel guide

Here’s an easy reference guide to Finland month-by-month, so you can best plan for your dreamiest Finland activities…

January to March: the heart of winter

As the festive season passes, January, February and March are still excellent times to enjoy Finland’s exceptional winter activities (skiing, hiking, husky-sledding, ice-fishing and more) and go searching for the northern lights in the darkest skies. This is prime time to see Finland at its crispest, snowiest, iciest – and to feel the cosiest wrapped up in a log cabin as night falls. To be clear, Christmas might be finishing in the rest of the world but in Lapland, you can visit Santa all year round.

April to June: spring awakening and Midsummer festivities

The spring is a breath of fresh air for everyone in Finland, as the ice and snow thaws, seeds sprout and the beauty of spring erupts. From late May, the summer begins – in the central and southern regions, temperatures are warm and comfortable, meaning outdoor pursuits are an easy, breezy affair.

Hike the forest-cloaked ridges of Koli National Park, go canoeing in the Lake District and explore Finland’s cool, well-run cities Helsinki, Tampere and Turku. Come June, celebrate Juhannus (Midsummer) with locals, who gather at lakeside bonfires, rejuvenating sauna sessions, and parties in the never-ending twilight.

July to September: warm summer adventures and early fall shades

Long, light-filled days, perfect swimming temperatures, forests bursting with life – this is the Finnish summer. Jump into clear lakes, hit rural cycling routes, spend long days in Helsinki’s beer gardens, or relax on the south coast. Then as September brings in the fall – called ruska, in Finland – the temperatures cool and it’s prime season for harvesting and foraging.

Foodies can look forward to some exquisite farm-to-table dining experiences, with plates adorned with chanterelle mushrooms, freshly-caught perch, new potatoes and wild blueberries.

October to December: the quiet splendor of fall and Nordic Christmas

Visiting from October to December will promise a brisk, wintry adventure. As the fall months bring deepening shades of red and rust, temperatures drop and the days shorten, the traditional sauna and lake dip becomes even more invigorating.

By December, you’ll be dazzled by all the festive cheer, with Christmas markets, illuminated trees, and steaming mugs of glögi (mulled wine). Nothing says Christmas like a winter trip to the Nordics, and Finland makes for one of the best.

Cultural and seasonal highlights: events for your diary

Still not sure when the best months to visit Finland might be for your own journey? If you’re planning a trip to Finland and don’t want to miss the best parts of the season, here are some key events to further inspire your wanderlust…

• January – end of the Polar Night (north): the sun finally starts rising in northern Finland in mid-January, and for a few mere hours, they see daylight hours again.
• March is reindeer racing season in the north, where local riders on skis are pulled along by reindeer. This is the last month to see the northern lights at their brightest.
• May – Vapu: This celebration marks the first day of spring, and is commemorated with outdoor picnics, bubbles and donuts.
• June – Juhannus (Midsummer): Held around the summer solstice, this is an important day to the Finnish people. The midnight sun begins, people have bonfire parties and decorate with flower wreaths.
• July – Pori Jazz Festival: One of Europe’s biggest jazz festivals that doesn’t only show jazz – big international acts often feature alongside Scandinavian talent.
• August – Helsinki Festival: Arts and culture festival with theatre, dance and music. Also includes Night of the Arts, where the city comes alive with performances. In late August there’s Rapujuhlat, essentially street parties where revelers don bibs and gather to eat crayfish.
• September – northern lights become clearer: late in the month is when you can start to see the northern lights most clearly, right through until March.
• November – Kekri: Basically an Old Finnish harvest festival, this is a pagan-style precursor to Halloween with lots of bonfires and honoring of spirits.
• December – Nordic Christmas and Polar Night begins (north): though it’s always Christmas in Lapland, this is when the festive decorating and celebrations are really ramped up a notch. In early December, the Polar Night sets in.

Make it happen

Chat to our local travel experts to get started planning your dream trip to Finland – they’re based within the destination, ready to build an itinerary that’s perfect for you, and on hand with even more advice to help you choose the best months to visit Finland.